National Male Health Policy

In 2008 the Government developed a National Male Health Policy, the first for Australia.

Page last updated: 30 June 2014

Policy

National Male Health Policy

The Policy provides a framework for improving the health of all males and achieving equal health outcomes for population groups of males at risk of poor health. It provides practical suggestions for action men can take to improve their health and is designed to guide policy directions into the new decade. The Policy focuses on areas where we know we can make a difference in improving the health of Australian males, and on measures that target those with the poorest health.

Research and Information

Building a strong evidence base on male health is a priority area identified in the National Male Health Policy to inform policies, programs and initiatives.

Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health

The Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health, also known as the Ten to Men Study, is a longitudinal population-based study which focuses on building a strong evidence base in male health. The Study will inform policies, programs and initiatives that promote health and support to males.

The Ten to Men Study is examining the health and lifestyles of approximately 23,000 Australian males aged 10 to 55 years across three age groups: boys aged 10 to 14 years; young males aged 15-17 years; and adult males aged 18-55 years. Parents of boys aged 10 to 14 years are also being interviewed. Young males and rural males are being oversampled.

Details of the Ten To Men Study, which commenced in 2011, can be found at: Ten to Men website.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: male health bulletins

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has drawn on a wide range of reliable national data sources to present a ‘snapshot’ of the health and wellbeing of Australian males. A series of four male health bulletins will be published to provide up-to-date data for health professionals, academics, program designers/policy makers, key stakeholders and the general public.

Programs

A total of $16.7 million over four years was invested in male health programs that were designed to support the National Male Health Policy (the Policy) and build on efforts to address the priority areas identified in the Policy.

Men's Sheds

Men’s Sheds have long been recognised as meeting places where men can find social support and camaraderie. During the consultations for the National Male Health Policy there was considerable support expressed for men’s sheds for their demonstrated success in reaching marginalised and isolated males and in contributing to improvements in male health and wellbeing.

Support for Men’s Sheds is an initiative under the National Male Health Policy. All Men’s Sheds in Australia have access to a wide range of resources and support for their particular Shed.

DIY Health Toolbox

The DIY Health Toolbox is a health promotion initiative under the National Male Health Policy. These real toolboxes are designed to bring health promotion into men's sheds and community groups. Each toolbox contains usable items such as tape measures, carpenter’s pencils, magnetic clips and note books featuring positive health messages and referral pathways.

Men’s Sheds and other men's community groups are able to order a DIY Health Toolbox for members of their particular Shed.

Useful Links

Note: The external websites listed are provided as a guide only and should not be considered an exhaustive list. The Commonwealth of Australia does not control and accepts no liability for the content of the external websites or for any loss arising from use or reliance on the external websites. The Commonwealth of Australia does not endorse the content of any external website and does not warrant that the content of any external website is accurate, authentic or complete. Your use of any external website is governed by the terms of that website.

The DIY Health Toolbox is a health promotion initiative under the National Male Health Policy that has been developed in consultation with Minister Snowdon’s Male Health Reference Group , the Australian Men’s Shed Association and Men’s Sheds Australia to ensure the items and health promotion messages contained in the toolbox are appropriate and useful in the shed environment.